Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

This section is designed to address common questions about Horizon Imaging's services. Please click on the question to reveal the answer.

If you have further questions which are not answered here, please contact me and I will be happy to help.

Aerial Photography

What is Aerial Photography?

Aerial photography involves taking photographs from above head-height. There are various methods for taking aerial photographs, involving the use of real aircraft or helicopters, tethered balloons or kites. Horizon Imaging uses radio-controlled unmanned helicopters or 'drones', and a 50-foot telescopic mast to capture aerial photographs from anywhere between 7 and 400 feet above the ground.

Do you use a real helicopter?

No. Horizon Imaging uses unmanned helicopters or 'drones' which are piloted remotely from the ground.

How do you compose the aerial photographs with the drone if you cannot get access to the camera?

The digital cameras on both the drone and mast transmit a live video feed to a screen on the ground which allows the operator and client to compose the photographs in real-time before the cameras are triggered.

Are there any legal restrictions on where you can fly the drone?

Yes, the Civil Aviation Authority has strict regulations on where unmanned helicopters or 'drones' can be flown. These are listed below.

The drone must not be flown:

Outside the hours of daylight.

At a height exceeding 400ft above the ground.

Further than 500m from the operator.

Within 150m of any open-air assembly of more than 1000 persons.

Within 50m of any vessel, vehicle or structure not under the control of the operator.

If permission has not been granted by the landowner of the site used for take-off and landing.

Unless the operator holds a Permission from the CAA to undertake commercial aerial photography work (please see our About page).

The most pertinent requirement here is not flying within 50m of any vessel, vehicle or structure not under the control of the operator. This includes roads, residential and commercial buildings not involved in the photography shoot. However, if the drone has to fly above buildings on a different site as part of the shoot, provided that permission has been obtained from the owner of these buildings, and they are made aware of the photography operations, then this is perfectly acceptable.

Can anyone sell aerial photographs taken from a drone?

No. In order to legally take aerial photographs from unmanned platforms for commercial purposes, the operator has to hold a Permission from the Civil Aviation Authority. To achieve this Permission, the operator has to provide evidence of pilot competence, sample risk assessments and method statements, and evidence of adequate insurance cover.

If a company claiming to sell aerial photographs cannot produce their CAA Permission on demand then they are operating illegally. You can see Horizon Imaging's CAA Permission on our About page.

Are you licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority to undertake commercial aerial photography work with drones?

Yes. Horizon Imaging has held a 'Permission for Commercial Operations' (or a 'Permission for Aerial Work' as it used to be called) since the requirement was introduced in 2010. You can view our Permission on our About page.

How long can the drone fly before it has to land?

Depending on the Drone being used (we have several), between 7 and 20 minutes per battery and multiple batteries are brought to every shoot. Battery chargers can also be brought allowing the drones to fly almost continuously throughout the day.

How high can you fly the drone?

We are limited by the CAA regulations (see point 4) to fly no higher than 400 feet above the take-off point. This might sound restrictive, but often only a small increase in altitude will yield a dramatically different viewpoint. Furthermore, photographs taken from 400 feet with a wide-angle lens can capture a surprisingly large area of land.

How far can you fly the drone from you?

We are limited by the CAA regulations (see point 4) to fly no further than 500 metres from the drone operator.

Can you fly the drone over people?

No. To ensure the safety of everyone involved or nearby, the drone will only be flown if the area underneath its flight path is clear of people and other hazards.

Can you fly the drone in built-up areas?

In general, no. I am limited by the CAA regulations (see point 4) to fly no closer than 50m to buildings not under my control. However, if permission can be obtained from all the building owners in the flight area, and all people can be kept free of the flight area (see point 8), then this is permissible.

Can you fly the drone if it is very windy or raining?

No. Wind speeds over about 15-20mph will reduce the stability of the drone, and the resulting photographs / videos may suffer as a result. Rain would also prevent a flight from taking place, partly due to the sensitive nature of the onboard electronics, but mostly because the resulting photographs / videos would look very dull.

Is your mast mounted to the back of a vehicle? We have a tight spot we need to photograph from.

Our mast is completely standalone and sits in its own tripod. The mast can be carried onto a site and erected in a space approximately 3 x 3 metres square – ideal for tight construction sites or narrow pavements. It can even be used indoors or on a building's roof!

General Questions

What area of the country do you operate in?

Horizon Imaging is based in Hampshire, and operates throughout the South East of the UK, including London, Surrey, Kent, West Sussex, East Sussex, Essex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, and Dorset. However, if you have requirements outside these counties, please contact me as I may still be able to help.

What is the resolution of your photographs?

A 24 megapixel camera is used on the drone, and an 18 megapixel camera is used on the mast and for architectural photography.

Why do you not list prices on your website?

Every shoot has to be judged on its own requirements and location. The number of angles required, the amount of time required on-site and travel details all need to be taken into account. Please contact me with your requirements and I will be happy to help.

Are you covered by insurance?

Yes, all Horizon Imaging operations are covered by £5M of Public Liability Insurance.

Do you also offer other services apart from those listed on your services page?

Yes. We also have experience with other types of photography including corporate event photography, studio product photography, as well as nature, wildlife and landscape photography. I also have experience with audio amplification for lectures and conferences. Please get in touch if you have any other requirements and I will be happy to help.

Do you charge VAT?

Currently we do not charge VAT, but this will be changing in the coming months (towards the end of 2016).

Horizon Imaging Ltd is registered in England and Wales, No. 06249598, at the office address above.

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Simply fill in your details to sign up to our monthly newsletter. You will only receive one email per month containing links to our latest blog posts, your details will not be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Please leave blank:

First Name:

Last Name:

Email Address:

Are you looking to hire a Drone Aerial Photographer in the UK?

Be sure to grab your FREE copy of our Guidelines, covering essential topics like licensing, insurance, and pilot competence. CLICK HERE.Horizon Imaging Ltd is a licensed and insured drone operator, and you can find out more about the regulations on our About page.

01483 610 535

07792 139 506

david@horizonimaging.co.uk

27, St Christophers Close, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 4XF, UK

Horizon Imaging Ltd is registered in England and Wales, No. 06249598, at the office address above.

Want to stay up to date with our latest news and announcements?

Simply fill in your details to sign up to our monthly newsletter. You will only receive one email per month containing links to our latest blog posts, your details will not be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Please leave blank:

First Name:

Last Name:

Email Address:

Are you looking to hire a Drone Aerial Photographer in the UK?

Be sure to grab your FREE copy of our Guidelines, covering essential topics like licensing, insurance, and pilot competence. CLICK HERE.Horizon Imaging Ltd is a licensed and insured drone operator, and you can find out more about the regulations on our About page.